SMALL WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS | choose love, not fear

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

Since 2002, the WPJA has been connecting couples with the best, most artistic wedding photographers from around the world.

Engagement shoots + wedding photography and elopements by Luan Nguyen of France
Var wedding photography by Marion Deletraz of PACA France
Oise elopement and wedding photography by Frederic Bry of the Hauts-de-France WPJA
Wedding photography of marriage ceremonies and receptions by Inbal Sivan
Adventure elopement and wedding photography by Mike Kory
Mayenne elopement and documentary wedding photography by Anne Russocki of Isere Pays de la Loire France
BW portrait of Mark Wallis, Europe wedding reportage photographer
I AM SARAH V Photography - Wedding and Couple Engagement Images
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Anastasiia Polyakov, of So Tender Is Humanity
Edeelin Labra, Northern CA wedding photography
Wenjie Han is an engagement and wedding photographer for NY
Documentary wedding photography by Rebecca Aranda
BW Studio Portrait of Lyon Wedding Photographer Emilie Roy of Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Lifestyle portrait of England wedding photographer Tori Deslauriers

Authentic Photography

The WPJA organizes various wedding photography rounds annually, recognizing and honoring exceptionally captivating images.

Take a look at the previous victors by clicking on the links below:

Intimate, Micro Wedding Planning & Elopement Articles

Kobe Vanderzande, of Limburg, is a wedding photographer for

There’s nothing quite like an intimate wedding reception in a tent, with its uniquely informal atmosphere, customized decor and proximity to the elements...

Not everyone has a lagoon or glacier next door, but there's no rule saying you can't have a small wedding in the great outdoors. Take advantage of natural...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Simi Rabinowitz, of Massachusetts, is a wedding photographer for

WPJA Contest Photos - January 19th, 2024

Any wedding photographer is going to want to please their clients — but they also want their work to be appreciated on a broader scale. This is one of the reasons why the Wedding Photojournalist Association members love our regular photography competitions. These popular contests give our photographers the opportunity to submit their best images in hopes of being selected as a winner and being recognized for their creativity and effort. Our contests are judged by a panel of notable and respected working photojournalists and picture editors in the news industry, which adds an element of prestige to our awards.

Vercelli Wedding at Castello di Moncrivello, Italy - Groom celebrating with a champagne spray at the cake table while the bride stands beside him
California Wedding Dance Party: Groomsmen having a blast in the 'photo booth', spicing up the celebration with party hats and fun photo props
A pro photographer in Texas captured this award-winning image of a bride and groom dancing at their wedding reception. The groom lifts the bride onto his shoulder, illuminated by purple DJ lighting.
Bride and groom burst into laughter at their Kansas City, Missouri wedding reception during speeches, capturing a joyful moment
This image captures a heartwarming moment from a wedding day at the Isere Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes reception venue. The bride, who is also a doctor, attends to her injured uncle after a game gone wrong.
Family chaos outside Reception 10 Bridge Street, Killorglin, Ireland, with adults tending to the needs of small children before the ceremony
The award-winning photographer captures a joyful moment as the newlyweds walk together through confetti at a farm location in Suffolk, UK.
At Chiesa di San Francesco in Siena, Tuscany, bridal attendants in red help the bride with her dress outside. A beautiful moment captured on her wedding day.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - January 31st, 2024

The Artistic Guild competitions are distinctly different from our other WPJA contests because this category is specifically for photographers who use their talent to create digitally-enhanced images, staged portraits and dramatic detail images. This competition attracts documentary wedding photographers who also view themselves as artists who are constantly looking to create their next masterpiece.

At the Apulian reception venue, the wedding couple strolls across the picturesque lawn amidst vibrant flowers, with dragonflies and bumblebees gracefully hovering above.
Award-winning wedding photographer captures an intimate embrace for the newlyweds after their religious ceremony near the stunning Tejo's river view at SUD Lisboa, Portugal, as a passing kid on a bike adds a charming touch.
An artistic wedding photographer captures a close-up image of the bride's bleeding feet, as the groom lovingly helps her buckle her white wedding shoe on the vibrant green grass in Edmonton, Canada.
A beautiful wedding photo captured at a reception venue in Cleveland, Ohio. This sunset image showcases the rings and key details of the special day.
In a picture taken at the Dionysos Village Hotel in Turunc, Marmaris, Turkey, a couple strolls during their wedding day portrait session. They walk, holding hands, on the rocky cliffs above the water.
A professional wedding photographer captured this beautiful image in Cserkészpark Budapest. The couple is seen about to share a kiss under the bride's veil, creating a powerful and romantic scene.
Captured at the Angelbachtal, this award-winning photo showcases the allure of a bride gazing out of a church window, bathed in soft light that accentuates her elegance.
In this award-winning wedding day photo at Greylock Works, North Adams, Massachusetts, the photographer captures the bride and groom basking in a romantic spotlight during their ceremony.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - April 8th, 2024

Couples who are searching for a wedding photographer often want a pre-wedding engagement portrait session as well as wedding day photography services. Engagement photographers need to rely on their skill and expertise in order to help their couples select a meaningful location for their portrait session. These awards allow engagement photographers to submit their most moving engagement images in hopes of being recognized for their creativity and skill.

At the Bund in Shanghai, China, a couple gazes into the future, with urban streets as backdrop. A romantic portrait session capturing their love story.
A beautiful couple holding hands, strolling along Crosby Beach in Liverpool, England. The love between them shines brightly in this breathtaking engagement portrait.
A romantic silhouette of a couple in love at Lakewood Park, OH. The pair stands elegantly under a single lamp post, creating a striking image.
A tender session captured in black and white at Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, where a man lovingly kisses his fiancé, sitting close and cozy. Vintage vibes are exuded from this monochromatic portrait.
At their Brookline, MA home, a couple and their dog pose on the couch for a cozy engagement portrait capturing the essence of their love and companionship.
In the charming Beijing Wudaoying Hutong, this engaged couple showcased joy and playfulness while walking through the narrow alleyways for their portrait session.
A stylish and chic couple from Atlanta's West End neighborhood, sharing a laugh and striking a pose against a vibrant pink and black painted art wall.
In a romantic setting, this relaxed portrait session captures a couple's tender underwater hand touching gesture at Plage Guadeloupe, making for a beautiful engagement portrait.

TLC - True Love Captured - March 3rd, 2023

This WPJA photography competition is focused on the emotions that are on display throughout any wedding event. The images showcase the powerful emotions that the couple are experiencing, and any of the feelings that any wedding guests may go through. The TLC contests follow a long-standing WPJA category tradition of capturing raw emotions.

The black and white photo of the friend hugging the bride, and groom has tears of joy whiped at Kasteel Maurick Vught - a beautiful and touching moment at their wedding
The photographer captured the emotional moment of the bride picking up her friend in a foggy embrace on the dance floor of her Montpellier wedding
The wedding photojournalist captured the beautiful and emotional moment of the Bride as she reads her heartfelt vows in the sunshine beneath the trees at Hardy Farm in Fryeburg, Maine
The beautiful moment of a bride wiping away her mother's tears of joy at Help Beach, Fethiye, Mugla was captured by the wedding photographer
The photographer at the W Hotel in Chicago, IL captured a beautiful moment of the bride kissing her grandma right before walking down the aisle
The wedding photojournalist at Fleurance, Gers, France captured a heartwarming moment of the groom embracing his daughter as he prepared for his big day
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of double happiness, with the bride giving a sweet touch on the cheek and a loving hug from behind at Strabrechtse Hoeve Mierlo
The brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo